Tag: NFCA

ATEC/NFCA announce Spring High School Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year

The Great 8 of 2024.

 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Eight programs were honored by their peers as 2023-24 ATEC/NFCA High School Spring Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on Friday afternoon.

Competing in the Spring of 2024, Delta High School (Alaska), Providence High School (Calif.), Antioch High School (Ill.), Calvary Baptist Academy (La.), Silverdale Baptist Academy (Tenn.), Austintown Fitch High School (Ohio), Mount Saint Dominic Academy (N.J.) and Mardela High School (Md.) represent the Regions III through X, respectively.

These programs, along with Summer/Fall recipients Washington High School (Mo.) (Region I) and Guthrie High School (Okla.) (Region II), are now eligible for the NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on August 20, 2024.

To be eligible, the program’s head coach must be a member and nominated. Winners were voted by member head coaches in each of their respective regions.

Regional Winners

Region III – Delta High School (Alaska)

Head Coach: Richard Lester

Assistant Coach: Amanda Bunselmeier

Posted a 30-6 record and reached the ASAA Division II state championship tournament … Went 3-2 at the state tournament … Ten players earned 4.0 GPA with five earning NFCA All-Region and two NFCA All-America honors.

Region IV – Providence High School (Calif.)

Head Coach: Manuel Travieso

Assistant Coach: Patricia Workman

Playing a tough schedule, Providence finished 23-4 overall and 12-0 in League and held the No. 1 spot in the CIF division 5 for several weeks … Coach Travieso and Workman showed exception dedication and commitment to their players and community, which including guiding six seniors to secure commitment to prestigious academic universities (non-DI) … Organized free camps and emphasized a commitment to community engagement.

Region V – Antioch High School (Ill.)

Head Coach: Anthony Rocco

Assistant Coaches: Hilary O’Donnell, Alex Caccamo, Tammy Johnson, Makaila House

Nabbed second consecutive coaching staff of the year accolade … Class 3A state runner-up for second straight season … Registered a 29-6 mark and posted 19- and 15-game winning streaks in 2023 … Ranked ninth for a few weeks in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll … Earned notable wins over St. Charles North, Mundelein, Lincoln-Way East, Hononegah, Warren, Sycamore, and Richmond Burton.

Region VI – Calvary Baptist Academy (La.)

Head Coach: Tiffany Wood

Assistant Coaches: Greg Frazier, Harold Johnson, Jessica Gann

Won its fourth straight LHSAA Division III state crown … Registered a 35-2 record … Finished second in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll and 10th in the MaxPreps rankings to go along with a No. 1 state ranking.

Region VII – Silverdale Baptist Academy (Tenn.)

Head Coach: Jake Freelend

Assistant Coaches: Tim Thompson, Sloan Mulligan

Back-to-back TSSAA Division II Class A state champions … Posted a 50-3 overall record and finished 15th in final MaxPreps rankings and No. 1 overall in Tennessee … Outscored the opposition 25-3 in the state tournament and 70-5 during the entire postseason … Captured regional and district titles … Finished the season outscoring their opponents 396-42, launched 66 home runs and posted a 0.69 ERA.

Region VIII – Austintown Fitch High School (Ohio)

Head Coach: Steven Ward

Assistant Coaches: Bob Jones, Becki Spalding, Nicole Fiddler, Jerry Bruff, Rich Raymer

Captured second straight coaching staff of the year honor … Won second consecutive Division I state title despite replacing four starters and five seniors from the 2023 team … Posted a 23-1 record and is 45-1 the past two years … Ended the season ranked No. 1 in Ohio, No. 6 nationally in the USA TODAY SPORTS/NFCA High School Super 25 poll and 14th nationally on MaxPreps … Recorded two wins over top-10 nationally-ranked programs … .

Region IX – Mount Saint Dominic Academy (N.J.)

Head Coach: Robert Stern

Assistant Coaches: Ashley DeYoung, Angelo Delvecchio

Starting six freshmen, the Lions were the state Parochial A runner-up … Posted a 30-2 record and was ranked in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll for nine weeks, finishing the season ranked 17th nationally … Coach Stern is a big advocate for his student-athletes as well as those across the tri-state area … He hosts softball events through the season bringing in high-powered teams to compete, while also hosting a senior all-star game (Super 36).

Region X – Mardela High School (Md.)

Head Coach: Kory Shiles

Assistant Coaches: Michele Jones, John Jones, Alexa Jones, Kenny Robinson, Alicia Campbell, Kate Satterlee, Brooke Keene, Bill Duck, Christina Heath

Posted a school record 24 wins and was a state semifinalist … Captured the Bayside Conference title for the second straight year and the 1A East Region championship for the third straight year … Only loss of the season was a 1-0 defeat in the state semifinal against eventual state champion Allegany … Coach Shiles earned his 300th career win in 2024 and was also tabbed Bayside South Coach of the Year for the 11th time.

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Coaching Staff of the Year awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.

191 student-athletes earn 2024 NFCA High School Spring All-Region honors

All winners move forward to be considered for selection with the previously-selected 2023 Summer/Fall All-Region honorees.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Friday afternoon that 191 student-athletes from 108 programs have received 2024 NFCA High School Spring All-Region accolades.

The awards honor softball student-athletes from eight (Regions III through X) of the Association’s 10 regions with first- and second-team selections.

2024 Spring All-Region Teams 

Three schools topped the charts with five All-Region selections apiece. Maryland’s Mardela High (Region X) placed four of its five on the first team, while Alaska’s Delta (Region III) and New York Catholic High School Athletic Association champion St. Anthony’s (Region IX) each had two first-team honorees among their quintets.

Four programs — Idaho’s Eagle (Region III), Arizona’s Tempe Corona del Sol (Region IV), Allen Park (Region V) and Calallen (Region VI) — had four players selected. Seventeen schools had three selections, while 25 more had two honorees and 59 had one representative.

NFCA High School All-Region and All-America student-athletes must be nominated by their NFCA-member head coach. All-Region is voted on by their respective region’s member head coaches, and All-Americans are voted on by the full high school membership. In some instances, limited regional nominations prevented a position from being filled.

All winners move forward to be considered for selection with the previously-selected 2023 Summer/Fall All-Region honorees for the three NFCA High School All-America teams, which will be announced July 19.

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

Final 2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

Northwest Rankin finishes spring No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Back-to-back Mississippi state champion Northwest Rankin finishes the spring season as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

The (34-0) Cougars completed their undefeated season on May 16 with a second-straight victory over Hernando in the Class 7A championship series. The final game was called due to weather after a delay with the Cougars leading 12-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and the trophy presentation was made on the team’s bus. Northwest Rankin allowed just 41 runs all season while scoring 324. The Cougars won the 6A title in 2023.

Northwest Rankin overcame Texas’ Katy (39-3-1) for the top spot on May 30 and held that distinction for the final five weeks. Katy spent eight weeks at No. 1 after California’s Pacifica (27-2) ceded that spot to the Tigers in week five.

More than half of the teams in the final ranking won state championships this season. Eight of the first 10 teams, including the first six are state titlists.

Four others finished second in their respective state tournaments.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

The final ranking for the spring season is next Thursday. The NFCA Summer/Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll will start in late August.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll — Final Rankings

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 8

9. Carterville (Ill.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 9

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 10

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 11

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 12

13. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 13

14. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 14

15. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 15

16. St. John Vianney (N.J.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: 16

17. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 17

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 18

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 19

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 20

21. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 21

22. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 22

23. Riverside (Va.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: 25

Dropped out: none.

About the NFCA:

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

Patty Gasso, Oklahoma earn NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year

After another historic season, the Oklahoma Sooners earned the NFCA’s National Coaching Staff of the Year award.

It was another historic season for the Oklahoma Sooners, who earned their fourth consecutive national championship and eighth overall. After a 59-7 season, Big 12 tournament title, and national title, Patty Gasso and her staff were awarded the NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year award for 2024.

The award is voted on by member Division 1 NCAA coaches.

It is the third straight season and the seventh time Gasso and her coaching staff have received the award.

It was a masterful job by Gasso, associate head coaches Jennifer Rocha and J.T. Gasso, and assistant coach Falepolima Steele. In a year where they lost a conference series for the first time in more than a decade and missed out on the regular season title, Gasso and company helped the team rally during a postseason run in which they lost just one game.

Of their 59 wins, 27 came by way of run rule, and the Sooners’ pitching staff recorded 23 shutouts.

In addition to the successful completion of the sport’s first four-peat, Oklahoma opened the largest on-campus softball stadium at Love’s Field. With an expanded capacity, the Sooners averaged 4,328 fans per game for a record attendance of 108,156.

Oklahoma finished the season as the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation after sweeping the Texas Longhorns in the [autotag]Women’s College World Series[/autotag] Finals by a combined score of 16-7.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 16

No changes to USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With spring seasons winding down, and just a few states still competing, there were no changes this week to the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

More than half of the teams in the ranking won state championships this season. Eight of the first 10 teams, including the first six are state titlists.

Four others finished second in their respective state tournaments.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

The final ranking for the spring season is next Thursday. The NFCA Summer/Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll will start in late August.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 20, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 8

9. Carterville (Ill.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 9

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 10

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 11

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 12

13. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 13

14. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 14

15. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 15

16. St. John Vianney (N.J.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: 16

17. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 17

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 18

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 19

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 20

21. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 21

22. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 22

23. Riverside (Va.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: 25

Dropped out: none.

About the NFCA:

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 15

State champions break into USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three state champions jumped into the mix this week, with minimal movement elsewhere, as the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 continues to wind down.

Illinois 2A titlist Carterville took over the ninth spot this week on the strength of the (38-1) Lions’ pair of 1-0 victories in the state final four. Carterville defeated Rockridge in 10 innings in the semis and North Boone in the championship. The Lions’ only loss came in their season opener, 1-0 to Kentucky powerhouse McCracken County, on March 15.

Meanwhile, new No. 16 St. John Vianney defeated two Super 25 squads in succession en route to their second straight New Jersey Non-Public A crown. The (26-1) Lancers eliminated then-No. 16 Notre Dame with a 3-0 triumph ahead of last week’s poll, then edged No. 15 Mount St. Dominic, 4-1, last Thursday in the championship game. St. John Vianney’s lone loss was 2-0 to Immaculate Heart Academy in the Blue Eagles’ Anthony LaRezza Invitational on April 13.

No. 23 Riverside (24-3) defeated Hickory and Kellam last week to claim its first Virginia Class 5 state championship, in just the program’s ninth year of existence.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 13, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 8

9. Carterville (Ill.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: NR

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 9

11. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 10

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 11

13. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 12

14. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 13

15. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 14

16. St. John Vianney (N.J.)

Record: 26-1 | PR: NR

17. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 15

18. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 16

19. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 17

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 18

21. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 19

22. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 20

23. Riverside (Va.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: NR

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Marist (Ill.), North DeSoto (La.), Oak Grove (N.C.) and Shenendehowa (N.Y.).

About the NFCA:

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 14

Little change in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Ohio and New Jersey state tournaments were cause for subtle changes in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 this week, as softball seasons around the country continue to wind down.

No. 6 Austintown-Fitch (23-1) captured the Ohio Division I state title on Saturday with a 4-0 ranked victory over Watkins Memorial (31-2), which actually moved up one place to ninth in the poll. Watkins defeated Anthony Wayne (30-2), who had been ranked ahead of them in eighth, 2-0 in Friday’s Division I semifinal.

Lake Central (32-2) dropped a spot to 12th after being ousted by Penn, 4-2, in Saturday’s Indiana Class 4A semi-state semifinal, while Mount St. Dominic (30-1) remained 15th and continued to advance in the New Jersey state playoffs. Notre Dame (25-2), meanwhile, lost three places after a 3-0 loss to St. John Vianney in Monday’s South Jersey non-public Class A final.

Marist (35-3) stayed put at No. 21 after picking up a pair of Illinois state tournament triumphs. The Red Hawks play one-loss Mundelein (36-1) in the 4A state semis on Friday.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 6, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 1

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 2

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 3

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 4

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 5

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 6

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 7

8. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 9

9. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 31-2 | PR: 10

10. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 8

11. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 12

12. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 32-2 | PR: 11

13. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 13

14. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 14

15. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 15

16. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 17

17. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 18

18. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 19

19. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 25-2 | PR: 16

20. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 20

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 35-3 | PR: 21

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 22

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: none.

About the NFCA:

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

Lady Vols’ pitchers earn All-America honors

Tennessee softball pitchers named All-American by NFCA.

Tennessee pitchers Karlyn Pickens and Payton Gottshall earned All-America honors by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association.

Pickens was named First-Team All-American by both D1Softball and Softball America. She becomes the Lady Vols’ second consecutive consensus first-team All-American, and received national honors from the NFCA.

Pickens (22-7) recorded a 1.12 ERA. She appeared in 38 games for the Lady Vols, making 27 starts. Pickens pitched 15 complete games, 12 shutouts and one save, while totaling 225 strikeouts.

Gottshall (20-5) received third-team All-America honors from NFCA. She was named second-team All-America by both D1Softball and Softball America.

Gottshall appeared in 35 games and made 20 starts for the Lady Vols in 2024. She recorded eight complete games, three shutouts and three saves.

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 13

Northwest Rankin new No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Back-to-back Mississippi state champion Northwest Rankin is the new No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 following two playoff losses by Katy, who had been the top school for the past eight weeks.

The (34-0) Cougars completed their undefeated season on May 16 with a second-straight victory over Hernando in the Class 7A championship series. The final game was called due to weather after a delay with the Cougars leading 12-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and the trophy presentation was made on the team’s bus. Northwest Rankin allowed just 41 runs all season while scoring 324. The Cougars won the 6A title in 2023.

With most teams still active in the Super 25 winning, Katy (39-3-1) plummeted to No. 20 in the rankings after being swept by Kingwood in last week’s best-of-three Texas Class 6A regional final. The Tigers lost the first game 6-3 on Thursday and dropped the second contest 7-6 on Friday.

State titlists Calvary Baptist, Sterlington, Orange Beach and St. Anthony’s fill out the new top five. St. Anthony’s allowed one run combined in victories over St. Joseph’s by the Sea and St. Mary’s to win New York’s Catholic Class AA title — the Friars’ third straight crown — last Friday. The three others have been finished for several weeks.

Skyview (28-1-1) also fell significantly following its early ouster in the Washington state tournament, going from third to 13th after a 6-5 loss to eventual Class 4A runner-up Emerald Ridge in last Friday’s state quarterfinals. Jackson (26-2) moved up three spots to 12th after routing Emerald Ridge, 10-1, in the 4A final to claim a second straight state crown.

Austintown-Fitch (21-1) moved ahead of Walsh Jesuit this week after dealing the (22-1) Warriors their first loss, 8-2 last week in an Ohio Division I regional final. The Falcons play Fairfield in the state final four on Friday.

In the other Ohio Division I semi, No. 8 Anthony Wayne and No. 10 Watkins Memorial (both 30-1) face each other, with the potential of another Super 25 matchup for the state title on Saturday at Akron Firestone Stadium.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 30, 2024

1. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 2

2. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

3. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

4. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 7

5. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 25-0 | PR: 9

6. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 21-1 | PR: 12

7. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-1 | PR: 8

8. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 10

9. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 11

10. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 30-1 | PR: 13

11. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 31-1 | PR: 14

12. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 26-2 | PR: 15

13. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 28-1-1 | PR: 3

14. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 6

15. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 28-1 | PR: 18

16. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 24-1 | PR: 19

17. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 30-2 | PR: 16

18. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 17

19. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 20

20. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-3-1 | PR: 1

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 33-3 | PR: 21

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 22

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 23

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 24

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: none.

About the NFCA:

The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!

National scoreboard from ScoreStream

Live Stream High School Sports on the NFHS Network

2024 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 12

Katy continues to lead USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Top-ranked Katy closed out another playoff series to continue as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 for an eighth consecutive week.

The (39-1-1) Tigers advanced to Saturday’s best-of-three Texas Class 6A regional final against Kingwood after sweeping Brazoswood in the semifinal round.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Northwest Rankin (34-0) captured its second straight Mississippi state title, winning the 7A crown last Thursday with an unconventional victory over Hernando. The game was called due to weather after a delay with the Cougars leading 12-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and the trophy presentation was made on the team’s bus. Northwest Rankin allowed just 41 runs all season while scoring 324. The Cougars won the 6A title in 2023.

Third-ranked Skyview (22-0-1) stayed unbeaten with a 4-0 week and plays Puyallup on Friday in the opening round of the Washington state 4A tournament. Sixth-ranked Saint Francis (26-0) stayed perfect with a 10-0 rout of Willow Glen to advance to Saturday’s California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Coast Section Open Division final against Archbishop Mitty.

Orange Beach (46-1), which wrapped up its fourth Alabama state title in four years as a varsity program before last week’s poll, bookended an unchanged first seven teams, which includes fellow state champs Calvary Baptist (35-2) and Sterlington (33-1), who had wrapped up their Louisiana titles back in April.

Undefeated Walsh Jesuit (22-0) and St. Anthony’s (23-0), and one-loss Anthony Wayne (29-1) round out the revised top 10.

Diamond (38-1) moved up three spots to No. 11 after capturing its second Missouri Class 2 state crown in the last three seasons on Tuesday, 8-5 over Kennett. No. 17 Sheridan (29-2) also improved three places after blanking Beebe 5-0 in the Arkansas 5A state final last Thursday.

No. 20 Pacifica (27-2) defeated Orange Lutheran 3-0 last Friday to run its win streak to 12 and claim the 2024 CIF Southern Section crown.

Marist (31-3) made its return to the Super 25 at No. 21 after three weeks on the sidelines, following a 4-3 victory over then-No. 8 Lake Central last Friday. The Red Hawks have won 12 of their last 13 and compiled two six-game win streaks over that stretch.

State rankings submitted by the 2024 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – May 23, 2024

1. Katy (Texas)

Record: 39-1-1 | PR: 1

2. Northwest Rankin (Miss.)

Record: 34-0 | PR: 2

3. Skyview (Wash.)

Record: 22-0-1 | PR: 3

4. Calvary Baptist (La.)

Record: 35-2 | PR: 4

5. Sterlington (La.)

Record: 33-1 | PR: 5

6. Saint Francis (Calif.)

Record: 26-0 | PR: 6

7. Orange Beach (Ala.)

Record: 46-1 | PR: 7

8. Walsh Jesuit (Ohio)

Record: 22-0 | PR: 9

9. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

Record: 23-0 | PR: 11

10. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 13

11. Diamond (Mo.)

Record: 38-1 | PR: 14

12. Austintown-Fitch (Ohio)

Record: 20-1 | PR: 10

13. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 12

14. Lake Central (Ind.)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 8

15. Jackson (Wash.)

Record: 21-2 | PR: 16

16. Bartow (Fla.)

Record: 29-1 | PR: 17

17. Sheridan (Ark.)

Record: 29-2 | PR: 20

18. Mount St. Dominic (N.J.)

Record: 27-1 | PR: 21

19. Notre Dame (N.J.)

Record: 23-1 | PR: 22

20. Pacifica (Calif.)

Record: 27-2 | PR: 24

21. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 31-3 | PR: NR

22. Oak Grove (N.C.)

Record: 24-3 | PR: 18

23. Shenendehowa (N.Y.)

Record: 16-3 | PR: 15

24. Owyhee (Utah)

Record: 25-4 | PR: 19

t-25. St. Thomas More (La.)

Record: 31-4-1 | PR: t-25

t-25. North DeSoto (La.)

Record: 31-5 | PR: t-25

Dropped out: Thunder Ridge (Idaho).

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